Getting the message

France Hit by series of public sector strikes. General strike called last month by unions angry at plans to make people pay into the pension system for longer. Teachers' unions have threatened to sabotage exams by awarding high marks to all students.

Italy Unions called four-hour stoppage at airports in January over Alitalia plan to lay off 2,500 employees or 15% of its workforce. Protests also against government initiative to make it easier for employers to sack staff and plan to reform the pensions system.

Austria Almost ground to halt last month because of mass rallies over government pension cuts of more than 30% and raising of retirement age to 65. Unions estimated 280,000 took part in biggest postwar strike.